Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei visits Latvia

07 July 2016

07-07-2016

On July 6-7, 2016 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, paid a working visit to the Republic of Latvia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus held negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. The Heads of the Foreign Ministries discussed in detail the state and prospects of bilateral relations, cooperation within international organizations. Special attention was paid to the development of inter-ministerial contacts, including in the spheres of transport and transit, defense, science, culture and education, information and communication technologies.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

Particular attention during negotiations was paid to the prospects of expansion of Belarus’ cooperation with the European Union. The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia expressed his support for the development of a new basic agreement between the EU and Belarus. The parties exchanged views on topical international and regional problems. The prospects of settlement of the situation in Ukraine and the implementation of Minsk Agreements by the interested parties have been discussed in detail.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets the President of the Republic of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis

The Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry met with the President of the Republic of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis. During the meeting, Raimonds Vējonis emphasized the interest of Latvia to further develop the good-neighborly relations with Belarus, to move political contacts at a higher level.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets the President of the Republic of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis

Vladimir Makei confirmed the readiness of our country to strengthen Belarus-Latvia relations in all spheres. Definite steps have been determined to expand trade and economic, humanitarian, cross-border and interregional cooperation. The President of Latvia has been informed on the approach of the Belarusian side towards the development of dialogue with the European Union.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Māris Kučinskis

During the negotiations with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Māris Kučinskis, Vladimir Makei proposed to undertake measures to ensure the growth of bilateral goods turnover. A significant element to achieve this goal is the Belarusian-Latvian Business Forum to be held in Riga on September 2016 and later on — the next session of Belarus-Latvia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

Negotiations in the Government of Latvia

An agreement on the preparation of a number of projects to make the bilateral trade more sustainable has been reached. The head of the Government of Latvia expressed support for the idea to involve Belarus more in the development of interregional cooperation, including the «16 + 1» Format, with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkan region and China.

The Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry also had meetings with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Latvia, Arvils Ašeradens, and Minister of Transport of the Republic of Latvia, Uldis Augulis. During negotiations, the parties discussed the prospects of joint implementation of infrastructural projects to increase the efficiency of transit potential of both states. The parties marked the importance of intensification of the cooperation in the spheres of trade, investments, transport and logistics.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei meets Minister of Transport of the Republic of Latvia, Uldis Augulis

In the framework of the visit, Vladimir Makei also took part in the official opening of an exhibition of the works of a distinguished Belarusian artist, master of theatre scenography and costumes Leon Bakst at the Riga Bourse Museum, and the reception on the occasion of the Day of Independence of Belarus.